Monday, May 05, 2008

            Valparaiso University’s Zach Rodeghero (New Lenox, Ill./Providence Catholic H.S.) has been named to the “Wallace Watch” by the College Baseball Foundation as well as named this week’s Horizon League Player of the Week.  The “Wallace Watch” was released, narrowing the field to 100 candidates aiming for the 2008 Brooks Wallace College Player of the Year Award.

            The selection committee will narrow the list throughout the remainder of the season and the three Wallace Award finalists will be announced following NCAA Super Regional play.

            Rodeghero also was selected as the league’s Player of the Week for the second time this season after hitting .478 (11-for-23) last week while driving home six runs.  He also scored 10 times and posted a .556 on baseball percentage.  He registered three doubles as well, along with extending his hitting streak to 24 straight games.

            On the season, the fifth-year senior outfielder is hitting .453, third in the nation heading into this past week and tops in the Horizon League.  He also leads the conference with 77 hits, just five shy of Valpo’s single season school record.  Rodeghero is second in the league in on base percentage (.520), third in slugging (.635), and fourth in runs scored (44).  He also is tied for second in the league with 43 runs batted in and 19 doubles.  His 19 two-baggers are also just two shy of the school record.

            Rodeghero and the Crusaders will return to action on Tuesday evening as Valparaiso (16-28, 7-9 Horizon) heads Iowa City, Iowa for a 6 p.m. game against the Hawkeyes.  He will be looking for a hit in his 25^th consecutive game in the contest.